Which .380 Sub-Compact should I get and what's available for sale in CA?

I was considering the purchase of a pocket sized 380 ACP pistol and could use some advice... The only one I've seen/held is the Kahr P380, which was very nice, but a little pricey. I googled and found the Kel Tec P-3AT and the Ruger LCP, but I've never seen them for sale in a gun store. Does anyone know if the Kel Tec and Ruger are on the CA approved for sale list? Are there any other pistols of similar size that I should look at?

I don't believe the LCP is on the list, but it still can be had. Kahr is producing another micro pocket .380 called the CW380. It's the same dimension at the P380, however, there are some slight differences between the two. List price I believe is at $419. No word yet on a CA model.

__________________
“Political tags — such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth — are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” — Robert A. Heinlein

“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds” — Samuel Adams

I have the SW BG 380 with built-in laser. It was off roster so I SSE'd it. Just like the LCP and most of the 380 ACP pocket pistols on the markt it has a DAO trigger. There are a few 380 pocket pistols that have the SAO trigger like the Sig P238.

I was able to learn the trigger and shot bullseye at 7-10 yards with my Bodyguard 380, but you have to remember these pocket pistols were not meant for bullseye shooting. They're meant to bust a cap in someone's *** at close range for self defense.

That single shot exemption is an interesting option, however I only saw one dealer listed for the San Diego area. Do dealers charge full retail plus a little extra for their services? What modifications were made to the LCP to convert it to single shot?

That single shot exemption is an interesting option, however I only saw one dealer listed for the San Diego area. Do dealers charge full retail plus a little extra for their services? What modifications were made to the LCP to convert it to single shot?

Thank you everyone for your input so far!

They change your barrel to a longer barrel (8" barrel) and put a block to the magazine to only feed one bullet.

I have the SW BG 380 with built-in laser. It was off roster so I SSE'd it. Just like the LCP and most of the 380 ACP pocket pistols on the markt it has a DAO trigger. There are a few 380 pocket pistols that have the SAO trigger like the Sig P238.

I was able to learn the trigger and shot bullseye at 7-10 yards with my Bodyguard 380, but you have to remember these pocket pistols were not meant for bullseye shooting. They're meant to bust a cap in someone's *** at close range for self defense.

That BG380 looks pretty nice! The Sig is nice too but I think I'll stick with the DAO. Did you have to pay a premium for the BG380 for the SSE?

I had a off roster Kahr P380 and I just bought my fourth Ruger LCP, Eben with the crude sights I found I shot the LCP's more accurately that the twice the price Kahr, so I traded off the Kahr, and I am a big Kahr fan.

I buy my LCP's at Tracy rifle and pistol and I'm picking up one tomorrow from PRK in Fresno$403.78 OTD

I've also shot the S&W Bodyguard
380 if you want a biult in laser it may be for you, I ranked it third but I only shot one mag out of it.

That BG380 looks pretty nice! The Sig is nice too but I think I'll stick with the DAO. Did you have to pay a premium for the BG380 for the SSE?

To tell you the truth, if I was to do all over again, I'd spend the extra money to get the P238. The DAO trigger is a pain in the ***. You'll have to take it to the range and practice shooting it. The trigger pull is so long by the time it breaks, you'll be shooting left and low (right handed). The laser to me is pretty much useless. It's nice to have but I'll never activate it if someone breaks into my house.

The Sig has night sights, SAO and a better 1911 style safety. Everything I need for home defense.

I paid $350 for the BG380 + $125 for SSE + $25 DOJ fees + tax. You'll be lucky if you can find one under $500 online. They're marking them up so high it's ridiculous.

To tell you the truth, if I was to do all over again, I'd spend the extra money to get the P238. The DAO trigger is a pain in the ***. You'll have to take it to the range and practice shooting it. The trigger pull is so long by the time it breaks, you'll be shooting left and low (right handed). The laser to me is pretty much useless. It's nice to have but I'll never activate it if someone breaks into my house.

The Sig has night sights, SAO and a better 1911 style safety. Everything I need for home defense..

Very good point. Does anyone know if the Sig P238 is on or off roster?

I've got 2 Sig P238's (one for me and the other for my wife) and I can't tell you how much I like them. I have carried, locked but not cocked (perhaps as I get alittle more comfortable I'll start cocking it). One cool feature I like with the P238 is that I can cock the slide with the safety still locked, then drop the lock and I'm ready to play. Night sights and picking up some 7 round mags with the pinky extension are a plus! I did have to SSE mine, but the two tone ones are now on the roster ... maybe hard to find though.

If you want a pocket "pistol," think about a snubby revolver. Much more available in CA and fairly workable as a pocket gun if you wear the right clothes. Look up "38 snubby" on the web and you'll be amazed at what you might learn.

If you want a pocket "pistol," think about a snubby revolver. Much more available in CA and fairly workable as a pocket gun if you wear the right clothes. Look up "38 snubby" on the web and you'll be amazed at what you might learn.

I carried a J-Frame in the pocket for a long time before recently swapping over to a M&P Shield... Revolvers are ultra reliable, but I feel that carrying them in the pocket (I preferred IWB) can be bulky, even with loose clothing (due to the width of the cylinder). Also, I hated the long/heavy DAO trigger pull and felt recoil w/ hotter loads.

I replaced my pocket carry J frame,with a Sig P-238 SAS. It's an accurate little sucker too.(still have the J )
I looked all over for the Ca compliant 238, I could not find one.
Even though it show on the Ca roster, BUDs would not ship the Two Tone to me. on Sigs website it says Ca.= NO. I'm not sure if they are shipping the two tone here anymore.
I did an intrafamily interstate Transfer to get mine.

My second choice was the KAHR 380,they seem easy enough to find,I even saw one at Bass Pro two weeks ago.

I did a lot of looking around to find the Cal rostered Sig P238 which is designated P238-380-TSS-CA and never found one or found a GS that has sold one. It's the added "CA" that differentiates the California rostered model from the standard issued Two-Tone model that the rest of the world can buy and from what I have gathered, I don't believe any of the "CA" models have been built or shipped. I hope a Calgunner(s) will check in and disprove my statement.
If you want to acquire a new P238 in this state, the only route is a SSE purcha$e. The good news is that they come in a huge variety of selections. I chose the HDW model-rosewood grips and all stainless steel. The shop that I purchased it from a few months ago had eight or ten different models in the case.

I did a lot of looking around to find the Cal rostered Sig P238 which is designated P238-380-TSS-CA and never found one or found a GS that has sold one. It's the added "CA" that differentiates the California rostered model from the standard issued Two-Tone model that the rest of the world can buy and from what I have gathered, I don't believe any of the "CA" models have been built or shipped. I hope a Calgunner(s) will check in and disprove my statement.
If you want to acquire a new P238 in this state, the only route is a SSE purcha$e. The good news is that they come in a huge variety of selections. I chose the HDW model-rosewood grips and all stainless steel. The shop that I purchased it from a few months ago had eight or ten different models in the case.

What shop would that be? I wouldn't mind making the trek down to get one.

What shop would that be? I wouldn't mind making the trek down to get one.

For you, not a treck down but a 100+ mile one way treck to the north east-Elk Grove. Wild Bill's Old West Trading Post-916) 686-7699. Give them a call and find out what they have in stock as they actually answer their phone. I gave them a CC# over the phone to hold it, no extra 3% CC charge once I purchased it. SSE was $50.00 this last late summer!

For you, not a treck down but a 100+ mile one way treck to the north east-Elk Grove. Wild Bill's Old West Trading Post-916) 686-7699. Give them a call and find out what they have in stock as they actually answer their phone. I gave them a CC# over the phone to hold it, no extra 3% CC charge once I purchased it. SSE was $50.00 this last late summer!

For some reason I thought you were in the Fresno area. Lol. I called them 4 times with no answer. They must be busy. I would be really surprised if they had any left.

i heard through the grapevine that Bersa is in process of getting the Thunder 380 back on the roster. while this won't happen overnight, if you're patient you may be rewarded in several months with a high-quality, inexpensive and easy-to-shoot .380. while not as compact as the truly small ones, they're relatively small and flat. i put off buying one while they were available and am now kicking myself. won't make that mistake again.

For you, not a treck down but a 100+ mile one way treck to the north east-Elk Grove. Wild Bill's Old West Trading Post-916) 686-7699. Give them a call and find out what they have in stock as they actually answer their phone. I gave them a CC# over the phone to hold it, no extra 3% CC charge once I purchased it. SSE was $50.00 this last late summer!

I have bought several fire arms from these guys includeing 2 through SSE, a LCP, and a gen 4 glock. They are great guys but that store can get very busy so just be prepared if you go during peak hours.

__________________I will share my opinion and my load data, BUT I am just a guy with too many cigars and too many guns. Whatever I say is probably wrong.

The SIG p232 would be my pick for an auto. Not the smallest 380 out there but when a friend bought one we were shooting 3 in groups off hand at about 20 yards. Great little gun. If you want to go revolver I would recommend the Ruger LCR. It's only about a pound loaded and has a pretty clean dao trigger.

I carry an LCP pretty much every day, my buddy carries the Kahr P380. They're pretty much exactly the same size. The Kahr weighs more and has better sights. I ended up painting the front sight on my LCP white, now it does fine.

The LCP rides in my front pocket in a Desantis Nemisis holster, it's always there and I only notice it if I feel like I'm somewhere sketchy (the gas station at night for example). I know people say tht the .380 is too small for self defense use, but I love having a pocket gun that I'm able to carry everywhere.

One thing to consider with these small pistols is that polishing the feed ramp and the chamber with a felt polish wheel and jewelers rouge improves the reliability of feeding and ejection quite a bit.

i heard through the grapevine that Bersa is in process of getting the Thunder 380 back on the roster. while this won't happen overnight, if you're patient you may be rewarded in several months with a high-quality, inexpensive and easy-to-shoot .380. while not as compact as the truly small ones, they're relatively small and flat. i put off buying one while they were available and am now kicking myself. won't make that mistake again.

Pretty sure they are still on the list. My dad just picked one up last month.

i heard through the grapevine that Bersa is in process of getting the Thunder 380 back on the roster. while this won't happen overnight, if you're patient you may be rewarded in several months with a high-quality, inexpensive and easy-to-shoot .380. while not as compact as the truly small ones, they're relatively small and flat. i put off buying one while they were available and am now kicking myself. won't make that mistake again.

I bought the Bersa Thunder about 4 or 5 years ago and am very happy. I use it as my 'Travel Gun' on road trips. Transported legally of course. I do not CCW.
The Bersa is bigger than a sub-compact, but is very accurate and easy too shoot. I put several hundred rounds through it every year.
Almost everyone that shoots it, loves it.

When getting into the size of the Thunder, PPK and even the p232, you might as well go with a 9mm. There are a lot of great 9mm that size or even smaller. Bigger, cheaper and more abundant ammo (not so cheap now and abundant now).

The reason why I picked the .380 ACP was because of the true size of a pocket pistol. Overall length for a pocket pistol should be no more then 5.5" IMO. Anything bigger then that a is bit of a hassle to carry in a pocket especially in a pocket holster. This is just my opinion so please do not get offended.

When getting into the size of the Thunder, PPK and even the p232, you might as well go with a 9mm. ...This is just my opinion so please do not get offended.

No offense. This is why they make so many different guns and calibers. Everybody likes something different.
I have heard the .380 vs. 9mm debate many, many, many times and I have previously owned a full size 9mm in the past. I still own other handguns in larger calibers (.45acp and .357 mag).
For me, the Bersa feels good in my hand, shoots good, and it is fun to shoot. This makes me want to practice with it. When I previously owned a sub-compact and a .38 snubbie, I did not enjoy shooting them, I did not practice as much.
Because of frequent practice, i am very accurate out to distances I would never plan for in an HD situation. Shot placement is more important too me than superior ballistics.
If i was at home, I wood choose my 12 gauge or .357 or .45 over the Bersa. On the road, it is nice too have something decent in such a small pkg.
Good luck.

My first Semi-auto was the Bersa .380 and I've been carrying it for nearly
3 years. It took 200 to 250 rounds downrange to break it in, but since, it's
100 % dependable with the only exception being Tula ammo, stay away
from that. I carry it in a pocket holster in cargo shorts, or a pancake holster
during the colder months. Had not heard that they were no longer on the roster, but if so, I know you can buy a low mileage unit in the classifieds here,
in the $250-$300 range.
As far as balistics go, I've heard that any hit with
a .22 or .380 can really f***-up your day, and slow you down big time.
I feel good carrying mine.